william,
I agree. "The same" does not necessarily translate to "equal" when it comes to access or accommodation. "Each according to his/her need" would be a better goal.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Access should be made available to people with all levels of disability based on need as established individually!
Amber,
That's all true. What about it? How does that answer the question?
Dr. Jane Jarrow
both section 504 and the ada are cicil rights statutes nothing more and nothing less.neither law requires outreach or affirmative action to students with disabilities. in higher education the lasw requires a case by case consideration and accomodations etc.
Joshua,
It is often less a question of limiting the amount of help as limiting to whom help will be offered. Some want to give lots of help to those they feel are "deserving" because of what they perceive as the severity of the disability, but are less willing to support students who THEY think are less severely impacted.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
a disability is a disability. students should get as much help as they need to succeed. not just a set amount.
Catherine,
How does that speak to the question? I don't disagree with your statement, but I don't know that it adds much to the discussion.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
In higher education the laws require that students with disablilites receive case by case consideration and appropriate accommodations.
katina,
While that is true, I am not sure how it speaks to the question that was asked.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
when we discriminate against other we don't allow other to reach their full potential
Xavier,
Don't forget that the laws are civil rights statutes. The protection is given equally to anyone who falls within the protected class. You either ARE a person with a disability or you are not. What kind of help that protection will translate to may, indeed, be more or less depending upon the nature of the disability. But the promise of protection from discrimination is a constant.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Ashley,
In truth, it is more logical to determine the severity of disability on the basis of IMPACT than on the basis of the damage to the system. I have known some folks with severe learning disabilities who are much more limited in their ability to function like everyone else than is someone in a wheelchair who is just like everybody else -- sitting down!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I feel that there is not more support because, people do experience these issues on a daily basis. I know if more people dealt with these topics and issues on a more consistent basis, they will have more input to do so.
There should be more support, but possibly there is not as much support for severe disabilitiy related problems as there are learning disabilities because individuals with severe disability-related problems still have the capacity to learn.
Jacqueline,
I am not sure I follow you. How does talking about a disabled person impede his/her learning? While technology may make it easier for some disabled learners, it may make learning more difficult for others (if we are not careful in making sure things are available in usable format). Can you explain your thinking more?
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Dr. Jarrow
Because of the opportunities that are available now, it is much easier for a disabled person to learn. Whether it be online or on campus, technology has changed. Talking about a disabled person, may impede his or her learning. Treat them with the respect they deserve and need to ensure they are getting what they want.
Jacqueline Coleman
Tracy,
The tricky part, when it comes to education, is that what constitutes a severe disability in the mind of most people may be less so in a learning situation. Someone who is a wheelchair user is generally considered by the public to be severely disabled. But a paraplegic is just like every other student sitting down! On the other hand, someone with a mild learning disability may see a much greater impact on their academic success.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
To me the severity of the disability should not have an impact on the persons ablity to learn as long as their needed accomodations are met. It is the overall will and determination of each individual to find the dedication and/or determination to achieve their goal. Without either of these I feel the severity of the disability is irrelevant.
Michelle,
Actually, that's not it at all. Making accommodations for those with severe disabilities is much more straightforward than it is for those with LD. There may not always be a reasonable alternative available, but what needs to be done is pretty clear cut. On the other hand, LD is an umbrella term for a whole host of difficulties, and what a student with LD needs to have full access can vary dramatically from what the next student with LD will need. When the lawmakers framed 504 and the ADA, they did not distinguish between type or severity of disability, but rather focused on the issue of full opportunity no matter WHAT the individual's circumstance.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I believe lack of knowledge as to how to accomodate the move severe disabled individuals is why the differentiation is not there. Learning disabilities are definitely more common these days than more severe disabilities which account for the lack of accomodation.
